Lightable push-button switch assembly



Jan. '14, 1964 R. MOKNIGHT LIGHTABLE PUSH-BUTTON swncn ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 7, 1961 INVENTOR. George 1 M- Kmgizi United States l atent 3,118,d38 LIGHTABLE PUSH-BUTTGN SWITCH ASSEMBLY George R. McKnight, Menlo Park, (Ialif. (2501 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago 39, ill.) Filed Sept. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 136,483 12 Claims. (Cl. 206-167) This invention relates in general to a push-button switch assembly and more particularly relates to a lighted pushbutton switch assembly.

In the electronic control field, there has long existed a problem of obtaining a compact, highly reliable, precision, lighted push-button switch unit. Precision switches per so have been developed to a high degree of reliability and compactness. However, lighted switch button units, because of the complex extra functions desired, have not heretofore reached a high degree of precision reliability and compactness at a low cost.

It is the general object of this invention to provide a precision lighted switch button unit which utilizes standard switching units without derating the reliability thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lighted switch button unit which is simple in construction and provides easy access for removal and replacement of a lamp in the assembly.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved circuit controlling device which is of rugged construction and which provides easy access to all electrical terminals for wiring thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a lighted push-button associated with two standard switches and a bracket means wherein the lamp holder means is fixed to the switch casing means and the return bias for the lighted button is provided solely by the biasing means in the interior of the switches.

Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly as above described which is well adapted for mass manufacturing techniques, is easy to assemble and maintain, is pleasing in appearance, has a long field life, and is otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which it was designed.

The novel features that are characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. An understanding of the invention both as to its organization and its mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an enlar ed perspective view of the lighted push-button assembly assembled to a panel;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the assembly depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FEGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, showing one of the component parts of the assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a detached view of a lamp and a lamp removal means for association with the assembly shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an isometric perspective view of one component of the assembly shown in FIGURES 1 through 3;

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view along lines 77 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a view in full line of the underside of the push button taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is an isometric perspective view, in reduced scale, showing an alternate form of bracket means.

The lighted push button assembly it) comprises a U- shaped bracket member 1' which is adapted to be mountice ed to an apertured work panel 13 by suitable hardware as shown in FIGURES 1 through 3. Bracket 12 has a bail portion 14 and a pair of generally parallel legs 16 and 18. The legs 16 and 18 are apertured by aligned apeitures 20, 22 and 24, 26 as shown for mounting the switch units and lamp holder unit as shall be later described. The bail portion 14 is apertured at 28 (see PEG. 7) said aperture 28 being located in the mid portion of the bail 14. A threaded neck portion 3i may be suitably mounted to bail portion 14 in alignment with the aperture 28.

Precision switch means 36 and 33 are adapted to be mounted within the area between bracket legs 16 and 18 on suitable bolts or rivets 32 and 34 which extend through the apertures 2t 22 and 24, 26 as well as through suitable cross mounting bores in the respective switch means 36 and 38. Switch means 36 has terminals 4% extending therebelow for electrical connection thereto and switch means 33 has terminals 42 similarly disposed. Projecting above the outer casings of the individual switch means 36 and 38 are switch actuator buttons 44 and 46. It is important to note that the particular details of the switch are not important except that the switch actuator buttons 46 and 44 must be of the type which are biased towards a return position by a suitable biasing means such as 48. (See FIGURE 7.) While I have elected to show a two terminal switch, it will be appreciated that many other configurations and varieties of switches may be substituted therefor. Each switch casing may be of plastic and made up of two mating portions 590 and 59b and 52a, 52b. The switches 36 and 38 are here disposed in generally parallel mirror image relationship. It will be noted that the switch operators 4 and 46 are disposed in spaced parallel side by side relationship and protrude from the tops of the respective casings a predetermined distance.

A lamp holder means 54 is fixedly mounted intermediate the two switch means 36 and 38 on the two cross mounting pins 32 and 34. The lamp holder unit 54 essentially comprises a metallic socket base means 56 and a pair of flat spaced terminal strips 58 and 60 which are somewhat elongated in nature so as to extend below the switch units as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Terminal strip 60 is twisted adjacent to the socket 56 and is in direct electrical circuit thereto. Terminal 53 is mounted to socket 56 through an eyelet 62 so as to provide a conventional lamp circuit assembly. Insulation 64 is provided to electrically isolate the socket 56 and eyelet 62. Terminal strip 58 is also twisted 90 at 58a as shown. The mid portions of the terminal strips 58 and 69 are held in fixed insulated spaced relationship to each other by a pair of flat insulating sheets 66 and 68. Sheets 66 and 68 may be formed of a fiberglass mat bonded together with a suitable epoxy resin or any other suitable high dielectric material which is thin, flexible, and has high dielectric strength. Sheets 66 and 68 are each apertured at 7% and 72, the apertures being spaced apart and of suflicient size so as to fit over mounting fasteners 32 and 34 respectively. It is preferred that the sheets 66 and 68 be suificiently still and thin so that when the flat terminals 58 and 60 are bonded thereto by suitable cement 74, the entire lamp holder assembly 54 may be mounted on the fasteners aforementioned intermediate the two switch means 36 and 38. It will be noted that the switch casing portions Stlb and 52b also support and mount the lamp holder means 54. The sheets 66 and 68 are preferably at least as large as the switch casing means and if desired may extend down on the bottom side of the assembly 10 if additional electrical isolation in this area is desired.

By the mounting arrangement shown, the socket 56 is disposed intermediate the two switch casings and the switch actuators 44 and 46, and projects above the tops of the casings. The lamp holder means is firmly fixed in non-movable relation to the bracket 12 and the switch means 36 and 35. The socket 56 is arranged to be in alignment with the neck portion 3% of the bracket means 12 and concentric with aperture 28 in the bracket portion 14.

A pellucid lighted push-button means 76 has a base portion 78 which is smaller than and adapted to be confined in the area 75 between the tops of the casings for the switch means 35 and 3-35 and the underside of the bail portion 14 or" the U-shaped bracket means 12. The push-button means 76 is preferably made of plastic and due to the size and configuration is relatively light in i eight. The plastic material is pell cid, is. either transparent or translucid, colored or clear depending on the characteristics desired. The base portion 78 preferably has a width of such size that it will be guided by the arm portions 16 and 18 of the U-shaped bracket means when the push-button means as is reciprocated in the area 75. A removable cap 80 of any suitable configuration and style is mounted on the top side of an integral neck portion 82 of push-button means is and may be attached to the neck 32 by a notch arrangement 83 as shown in FIG. 7. Any other conventional, easily removable fastening means may be used to attach the cap 8% to the neck.

The push-button means 7a is formed with a central through bore 841 coextensive the neck 32 and of sufiicient size to accommodate the lamp socket base 56 therewithin. A counter bore 36 is formed in the top portion of the neck concentric with bore 84. A pair of offset recess portions 88 and 9% are formed adjacent the bottom of bore 84 making a somewhat elliptical counter bore 91 in plan view as shown in FIG. 8. Oiiset bore portions 88 and 9t accommodate the half twists of the fiat terminals 53a and 6&1. The bottom side of the button base 78 has a shallow transverse groove $2 which is at least as wide as counter bore 91. The groove 92 traverses the mid portion of the base and presents substantially flat surfaces in the base thereof which are adapted to engage the individual switch operators 44 and 4e approximately at the points 94 and 96 as shown in FIG. 8. The bottom surfaces 93l@ of the base '78 may act as a stop when the depth of the groove is such that portions 98l-% engage the top surfaces of the switch means 36 and 38 to prevent over travel of the button 76.

An alternate form of bracket means 12 is shown in PEG. 9 having a pair of coplanar tabs 102 and 194 which are adapted to mount the bracket means 12 to the under side of a panel where a short axial height of button is desired. A central aperture 166 is provided for receiving the neck of the pellucid push-button.

The lamp lt S (see FIG. is adapted to be mounted and dismounted within the lamptbase 56 by the use of hollow fiexisle tubing ill The counter bore as in the neck 32 of the button 76 is of sufiicient size to accommodate the tube 11%.

The operation of the device is exceedingly simple. The push-button 76 is actuated by engagement of a cap 39 either manually or by any other suitable means, and the switch is actuated against the bias of the interior switch springs as. The return biasing force for button 76 is provided solely by the biasing force of the switch actuators and the lamp holder means 54 is not disturbed by actuation of the witches 36 and 38.

it will be noted that the total assembly is compact, rugged, shock resistant, simple to assemble, and does not derate'the precision switches and 33. The terminals 58 and 6% are exposed for easy attachment to wiring as suitable and desired.

Althou h specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is with full awareness that necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A switch assembly comprising switch means having exterior housing means, actuator means for said switch means having a portion extending through said housing means and movable along a predetermined axis, biasing means for said switch actuator means, lamp means fixed to said housing means in spaced relation to said actuator means and aligned in parallel relation to said predetermined axis, bracket means fixed to said housing means having a portion thereof in proximity to "said lamp means, and a hollow .lightable push-button means mounted for relative. movement in parallel relation to said predetermined axis on said bracket means with a portion disposed in engagement with said actuator means, the hollow portion of said push-button means being aligned with said lamp means whereby said pushbutton means may be actuated against said biasing means mechanically inde' endent of said lamp means.

2. A switch assembly comprising switch means having housing 1 leans enclosing movable contact means, actuator means for said movable contact means of said switch means having a portion exterior of said. housing means and operable upon movement thereof to move said movable contact means, biasing means for said actuator means, lamp means including terminal means fixedly mounted to and directly supported by said housing means, bracket means fixed to said housing means having a portion thereof proximity to said lamp means, and hollow pellucid push-button means mounted for relative movement on said bracket means with a portion disposed in engagement with said actuator means, the hollow portion of said push-button means being aligned with said lamp means whereby said push-button means may be actuated against said biasing means without disturbing said lamp means.

3. A switch assembly comprising switch means having housing means enclosing movable con-tact means, actuator means for said movable contact means of said switch means having a portion exterior of said housing means and operable upon movement thereof to move said movable contact means, biasing means interior of said housing means for said actuator means, lamp holder means directly supported by and fixed to said housing means in horizontally spaced relation to said actuator means, unitary bracket means having a first, second and third poi n, said first portion being fixed to said housing means, said second portion being in proximity to said lamp holder means, and hollow pellucid push-button means mounted for guided relative movement on said third portion or" said bracket means with a portion of said push-button means being disposed in operative engagement with said actuator means, the hollow portion of said push button means being aligned with said lamp holder means whereby said push-button means may be actuated against said biasing means without disturbing said lamp holder means.

4. A compact push-button switch assembly comprising first and second switch means disposed in side-'by-side fixed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second witch actuator means'extending through said re-.

spective outer casings in side-by-side spaced relation, lamp means including terminal means depending therefrom disposed intermediate said outer casings and said first and second switch actuators with said terminal means extending between andbelow said outer casings, switch mounting means engaging each of said switch means to mount each of same to a work panel, and lightable push button means mounted on said switch mounting means for relative movement thereto, said push button means actuating each of said switch actuator means without contact with said lamp means.

5. A pu h-button sw'tch assembly comprising first and second switch means d snosed in side by side fixed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second switch actuator means extending through the upper por- 'ons of said respective outer casings in side by side horizontally spaced relation, lamp means having a portion disposed intermediate and above said outer casings and said first and second switch actuators with the terminals being supportedly mounted between said outer casings, switch mounting means engaging each of said switch means and being adapted for mounting each of same to a work panel, and pellucid push-button means mounted on said switch mounting means for relative movement thereto, said push button means being configured to engage each of said switch actuator means without contact with said lamp means.

6. A push-button switch assembly comprising first and second switch means disposed in side by side fixed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second switch actuator means extending through the tops of said respective outer casings in side by side spaced relation, biasing means interior of said outer casings for returning said switch actuator to an extended position, lamp holder means disposed intermediate said outer casings and said first and second switch actuators with terminals being supportedly mounted on said outer casings, switch mounting means engaging each of said outer casings to mount each of same to a work panel, and pellucid pushbutton means mounted on said switch mounting means for relative movement thereto, said push button means being configured to engage each of said switch actuator means without contact with said lamp holder means and being actuatable solely against the bias of said biasing means.

7. The assembly set forth in claim 6 wherein the switch mounting means is in the form of an inverted U-shaped member having an apertured bail portion and a pair of generally parallel leg portions, said leg portions being fixed to said outer casings and said bail portion being spaced from the tops of said switch actuator means.

8. The assembly set forth in claim 7 wherein the hollow pelluc-id cover means has a base portion and a neck portion, the base portion being confined between the legs of sai U-shaped member between the bail portion and the switch casings, the neck portion extending through the apertured bail portion for actuating engagement thereof.

9. The assembly set forth in claim 6 wherein the lamp holder means comprises first and second relatively fiat terminal means of substantial length fixed to lamp base means, first and second insulating sheet means fixedly mounted to said flat terminal means intermediate the ends thereof to form an insulating support therefor, said insulating sheets being mounted intermediate the outer casings of said side by side switch means and apertured to receive fastener means or" said switch mounting means.

The assembly set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said fiat terminal means is twisted adjacent to said lamp base means and said hollow pellucid push-button means is formed with counter bore means accommodating the twisted portions of said flat terminal means therewi n.

ll. A pushbutton switch assembly comprising first and second switch means disposed in side by side fixed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second switch actuator means extending through the tops of said respective outer casings in side by side spaced relation, biasing means interior of said outer casings for returning said switch actuator means to an extended position, lamp holder means disposed intermediate said outer casings and said first and second switch actuators, said lamp holder means comprising a lamp base and a pair of elongated flat terminal-s extending below said outer casings wit; said base being above said casings, switch mounting means comprising inverted U-shaped bracket means having an aperttured bail portion and a pair of apeutured paraliel leg portions, fastener moans disposed in said apertures of said leg portions and engaging each of said outer casings to mount each or" same to said bracket means, and hollow pellucid push button means having a first portion mounted in said aperture means of said bail portion of said bracket means and surrounding said lamp base and a second portion confined and guided between said bracket leg portions for relative movement thereto, said push-button means second portion being configured to engage each of said switch actuator means without contact with sm'd lamp holder means and being actua-table solely against the bias of said biasing means.

12. A lighted push-button switch comprising movable contact means having an at'rest position and movable to a second position, means biasing said movable contact means to its at-rest position, housing means for said movable contact means, lamp means mounted on said housing means, light weight lightable push-button means, and means moun ing said lightable push button means for movement relative to said housing means and said lamp means to operate said movable contact means without moving said lamp means, said lightable push-button means being surroundedly mounted relative to said lam-p means and biased solely by said biasing means for said movable contact means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,883,652 Ireland Apr. 21, 1959 3,018,338 Mullen et a1 Jan. 23, 1962 3,040,142 Dietrich et al. June 19, 1962 

12. A LIGHTED PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH COMPRISING MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS HAVING AN AT-REST POSITION AND MOVABLE TO A SECOND POSITION, MEANS BIASING SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS TO ITS AT-REST POSITION, HOUSING MEANS FOR SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS, LAMP MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING MEANS, LIGHT WEIGHT LIGHTABLE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID LIGHTABLE PUSH BUTTON MEANS FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID LAMP MEANS TO OPERATE SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS WITHOUT MOVING SAID LAMP MEANS, SAID LIGHTABLE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS BEING SURROUNDEDLY MOUNTED RELATIVE TO SAID LAMP MEANS AND BIASED SOLELY BY SAID BIASING MEANS FOR SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS. 